Zumi's smile didn't change—but his eyes sharpened just enough for her to feel it.
"You're thinking," he said calmly, almost conversationally,
'Another rich man surrounded by women. A playboy. Power and money rot them all.'
The color drained from her face.
Her back straightened instantly, fingers tightening against the armrest. For the first time since she'd entered the lounge, real shock broke through her composure.
"…You—" she stopped herself, breath steadying. "You heard that."
"I did," Zumi replied without apology. His tone wasn't accusatory. It was matter-of-fact. "And I don't blame you for thinking it. But you should know something."
He leaned forward slightly, elbows resting on his knees, gaze level with hers.
"Never judge a book by the cover you see."
She stayed silent.
"Yes," he continued evenly, "I can buy anything I want. Buildings. Companies. Influence. Even people, if I wished."
Her jaw tightened.
"But I won't," he said simply. "People are not things to be purchased. They are people. Choice matters."
He gestured lightly to the women around him.
"These women chose to follow me. Not because I forced them. Not because I own them. They stay because they want to. They love me, and I love them in return. They are free to leave whenever they wish. Free to go wherever they want."
His voice softened.
"They stay by my side because it's their decision."
The tension in the air eased.
Emma exhaled slowly, shoulders relaxing as the subtle dimensional distortion around her calmed. She bowed her head—this time deeper, sincere.
"I… apologize," she said quietly. "I judged you unfairly."
Zumi nodded once, accepting it without ceremony.
She looked up again. "My name is Emma."
He waited.
"I don't have a family anymore," she continued. "My father was a yakuza boss. When I was ten, he made a mistake. He angered Dojima Nishiki."
Her voice didn't waver, but there was weight behind every word.
"The entire organization was wiped out. I should've died with them."
A brief pause.
"But Nishiki didn't kill me. He took me in instead. Raised me. Trained me. Taught me how to survive—and how to use what I was born with."
Her eyes met Zumi's, steady now.
"He taught me control. Discipline. Power without chaos."
Zumi inclined his head slightly.
"Then you were trained well," he said. "And you survived something most wouldn't."
For the first time since she'd sat down, Emma felt something unfamiliar stir in her chest.
Not fear.
Not judgment.
Respect.
The air shifted.
Not physically—no pressure wave, no aura flare—but something deeper, something that tugged at the unseen threads behind reality.
[SYSTEM NOTIFICATION — PRIORITY: ABSOLUTE]
Origin: The Creator
Recipient: Celestia
Message:I wish to speak with the host tonight. This matter will alter the fate of the world.
Zumi went completely still.
The warmth in his expression vanished in an instant, replaced by a sharp, distant seriousness that none of the girls had seen before—not even during combat.
Serafina noticed immediately.
Emma did too—but from her perspective, it looked like Zumi had suddenly frowned at her.
Her posture stiffened.
Before she could speak, Serafina turned slightly toward her, voice calm and reassuring.
"Don't worry," Serafina said gently. "He isn't scowling at you. That look means he's just received something important. Urgent news."
Emma blinked, relieved but still confused.
Zumi took a slow breath, grounding himself. The heaviness receded just enough for him to function. When he looked back up, his face had returned to its neutral calm—though something resolute now lived behind his eyes.
He focused on Emma.
"I'll be direct," he said. "I noticed your aura the moment I walked in here."
Her attention sharpened instantly.
"You carry a Spirit of Dimensional Warping," he continued. "Not dormant. Not fractured. Fully awakened. And more than that—you've mastered it."
Emma's eyes widened just slightly. Few people could tell. Fewer still could tell accurately.
Zumi leaned back, hands folding calmly.
"I'm building something," he said. "An inner structure for my household and empire. One of its pillars is something I call Battle Maids."
She frowned. "Battle… maids?"
"They handle household duties—maintenance, organization, logistics," he explained. "But their true role is protection. They are elite combatants entrusted with the safety of my household… and the people I care about."
Her gaze didn't leave him.
"I'm recruiting," Zumi said. "And I want you to be one of them."
Silence.
"If you accept," he continued evenly, "you'll serve under Kasumi, my lead battle maid. The house you'd be assigned to protect belongs to someone of extreme importance to me."
Emma listened carefully.
"You wouldn't be alone," Zumi added. "Another guardian will be stationed there—an android maid I created. She's powerful, but still learning how to be… human."
His tone softened just slightly.
"If you accept this role, I'd want you to teach her. Guide her. Help her understand people."
Emma leaned back in her chair, thoughts racing.
A new life.
Purpose.
Danger.
Meaning.
She was quiet for several seconds.
Then she smiled—small, but genuine.
"…I accept," she said. "I've been wanting something real. Something exciting. And you… you don't feel like someone I'd regret working under."
Zumi smiled in return.
"Good," he said simply.
He turned his head slightly. "Gia."
"Yes?" Gia replied instantly.
"Message Rachel," Zumi said. "Have her come pick up Emma and take her to the mansion. Introduce her to Kasumi."
Gia was already typing.
"Also," Zumi added, voice lowering just a fraction, "tell her I'll be at the mansion tonight. Everyone needs to be in the living room."
The room subtly tensed.
"There's urgent news," Zumi finished. "Something we all need to hear."
Gia nodded. "Understood."
Emma stood, bowing respectfully.
Whatever she'd walked into today—
She knew one thing for certain now.
Her life had just changed.
The rest of the morning and afternoon slipped by in a haze of warmth, laughter, and quiet indulgence.
Zumi spent it entirely with the girls in the VIP lounge—Hina curled against his side, Gia half-seated on his lap with her tablet forgotten, Leafa sprawled comfortably across his chest, and Serafina resting close enough that their auras brushed. There were kisses stolen between conversations, soft laughter, teasing touches—nothing rushed, nothing hidden. A man completely at ease, openly loving his women, unconcerned with who might be watching.
Later, he took them to check on Emily.
She was behind the bar on the third floor, moving with surprising confidence. Her hands were steady, her posture relaxed. She greeted them with a shy smile that quickly turned bright when Zumi complimented the drink she'd just finished crafting.
It was flawless.
The moment the glass touched the counter, a familiar chime echoed softly in Zumi's mind.
[SYSTEM NOTICE]
Emily's Loyalty: 10/10
Emily's Respect: 10/10
Primary Desire Fulfilled: A better life for herself and her brother.
Status Update: Emily is now a System Character.
Zumi smiled—not wide, not boastful. Just… satisfied.
Seven hours later, they returned home.
As instructed, everyone had gathered in the living room—every woman bound to him, every soul under his protection. Even Kaito and Noah were present, sitting cross-legged near the couch, whispering excitedly to one another.
Zumi stood.
"Emma. Roberta," he said calmly. "Go to Viktoria's mansion and prepare for her arrival."
They nodded without hesitation.
The real reason remained unspoken—but understood. What came next was not for anyone without absolute loyalty.
As the doors closed behind them, the atmosphere shifted.
[SYSTEM ALERT — CREATOR CONTACT IMMINENT]
A golden blaze erupted in the center of the room.
Light folded in on itself, reality thinning like silk stretched too far—until a figure emerged, half-holographic, half-divine. She hovered above the floor, radiant and impossibly beautiful, crowned in cosmic light.
"I am Celestina," she said, her voice resonating through bone and soul alike. "Alpha Goddess of Olympus. Creator of the systems you rely upon."
Noah's eyes sparkled. If Zumi had been his hero before—
Now he was legend.
Celestina did not linger.
"I have little time," she continued. "In twenty days, the gods of Olympus will break a taboo."
Silence fell.
Serafina, Bia, and Leafa stiffened instantly. They understood at once. Olympus was forbidden from altering the course of the human world directly. The only reason they themselves walked the earth was because of their bond to the Monkey King—and even then, they had restrained their influence.
Celestina's gaze sharpened.
"They intend to use the God of Dimensional Travel—a newly ascended deity who replaced Serafina's former role. Through combined power, they will create planet-wide portals. Humans will call them dungeons."
The word alone carried dread.
"These dungeons will house monsters. Their purpose is simple: weaken the boundary. When a dungeon breaks, Olympus gains temporary physical access to the human world."
Her eyes locked onto Zumi.
"They seek Sun Wukong. And all associated with him. They wish to overthrow my authority. Arrogance has rotted them."
Zumi said nothing—but the room felt heavier with every breath.
"You," Celestina continued, "are the only one with the potential to stop them. But in twenty days… you are not strong enough."
Even Serafina exhaled sharply at that.
"To remedy this," Celestina said, "I will intervene more directly. You will undergo a six-day special quest—one that strengthens both you and your empire. I will provide details in five days."
Her expression softened—just slightly.
"On the nineteenth day, I will personally guide Athena to you. Reuniting with her will drastically increase your power."
Then she raised her hand.
"And now… a preview."
Lightning burned through Zumi's veins—electric, scorching, divine. His body glowed faintly as a system window flared before him.
[NEW ABILITY UNLOCKED]
Partial Transformation — Alpha Monkey King Form
• Duration: 20 minutes
• All Stats: +1,000
• Cooldown: 24 hours
• Limitation: Temporary until Athena is reunited
The room erupted.
Shock. Awe. Fear.
Even Celestina smiled faintly.
Serafina broke the silence first. "If Olympus fears him this much… then they already know our man is a threat."
Celestina nodded. "Even to me."
Zumi finally spoke. Calm. Focused.
"Thank you for the warning," he said. "I'll accelerate my plans before the quest begins."
"Do what you must," Celestina replied. "That is why I gave you time."
And then—
She was gone.
The light vanished. The pressure lifted. The world resumed.
But nothing was the same.
Olympus had made its move.
And the Monkey King was waking up.
The room stayed silent.
No one moved. No one spoke.
Every pair of eyes rested on Zumi—not out of fear, but understanding. Whatever he said next would decide everything. Their paths. Their homes. Their lives.
Minutes passed.
Ten… maybe fifteen.
Finally, Zumi inhaled slowly and spoke.
"Gia," he said first, his voice calm but unyielding. "We won't be going back to school for the remainder of this semester. Find a way to have us pass the exams without physically taking them. I don't want to force it—but we don't have the luxury of time anymore."
Gia nodded immediately. "Understood."
"I wanted to build things slowly," Zumi continued. "But that's no longer an option."
His gaze moved across the room.
"Reina. Hina. Gia."
Then again, firmly—"Gia."
"You're all coming with me to the slums. Starting tomorrow. That's where we'll live while I begin building the true foundation of the Kogane Empire."
No hesitation. No fear.
"Call Jonathan," Zumi added. "Tell him he's joining us."
Gia was already typing.
"I'll be accelerating alliances," Zumi said. "The next targets will be the Iron Valkyrie Family… and after them, the Maranzano Dynasty."
Carmella straightened instantly.
"Carmella," Zumi said, meeting her eyes. "Use your authority. Set up meetings. Have their leaders come to the Hyatt Centric Hotel in three days. We'll meet in my private suite."
"Yes," she replied without pause. "I'll arrange it."
A quiet chorus followed.
"Understood."
Then Zumi turned—and his tone softened.
"Emily. Sit."
She swallowed, nervous, but did as he asked.
"I told you before," Zumi said gently, "that there were reasons I held back. That I'd tell you when the time was right."
He studied her face—really studied it.
"That time is now."
Emily nodded slowly.
"Have you ever noticed," he asked, "that when you get overwhelmed… when anxiety creeps in… you suddenly calm down?"
Her eyes widened slightly. "Yes. It's been happening for as long as I can remember. Ever since I started taking care of Noah on my own. When things get too much… it's like something washes over me. Peace. Clarity."
Zumi exhaled.
"That's not coincidence."
The room felt warmer somehow.
"It means a goddess is awakening within you," he said. "Not possession. Not replacement. Integration. Just like I carry the Monkey King—you will retain yourself. Your will. Your heart. But you'll have access to her power… her memories… her understanding."
Emily's breath hitched.
Strangely… she wasn't afraid.
"It actually makes sense," she whispered. "I once had a dream. A woman spoke to me. She called herself the Goddess of Serenity. She told me to breathe… and everything felt okay."
Zumi smiled softly.
"I knew her," he said. "In my past life."
He leaned back slightly, eyes distant.
"As the Monkey King, there were very few in Olympus who stood beside me by choice. Fewer still who understood what the world truly needed."
He looked back at Emily.
"She was one of them."
Aurelia — The Tranquil Sovereign
"She was called Aurelia," Zumi said quietly. "Supreme Goddess of Emotion and Serenity."
As he spoke, his words painted her into existence.
"She appeared distant to many. Cold. Untouchable. But that was never the truth. Aurelia felt everything—every joy, every sorrow, every fear. She simply refused to be ruled by it."
His voice was steady, reverent.
"When chaos erupted, her heart never raced. When insulted, her mind never clouded. When danger closed in… her soul remained perfectly still."
Emily listened, breath held.
"She embodied absolute emotional balance. No matter the storm—anger, fear, love, grief—she always returned to calm. Not because she didn't care… but because she cared too deeply to lose control."
Zumi continued.
"She understood emotions at their root. Trauma. Guilt. Longing. She didn't just sense them—she knew them."
A faint warmth spread through the room.
"Her greatest ability was something we called Serenity State," he said. "With it, she could calm any being—ally or enemy. Anxiety dissolved. Rage faded. Pain became distant. Even gods struggled to act violently in her presence."
Emily's eyes shimmered.
"She ended wars without lifting a hand," Zumi said. "Broke mind control. Healed emotional scars in an instant. Forced even the cruelest souls to face silence within themselves."
He paused.
"She could manipulate emotions too—love, courage, fear, sorrow—but she rarely used it to dominate. Aurelia preferred to heal… unless necessary."
Emily felt tears slip down her cheeks—not from sadness, but recognition.
"Anyone near her grew calmer," Zumi finished. "Scars faded. Hostility weakened. And yet… she bore the pain of others willingly. Alone."
He looked at Emily gently.
"She once told me:
'I feel everything you feel. That is why I choose calm.'"
The room was silent.
Emily wiped her eyes and let out a shaky laugh. "That… that sounds like her. Like the voice in my dreams."
Zumi nodded.
"Knowing who she is will make your integration smoother," he said. "She may even manifest beside you one day—not to control you, but to guide you."
Emily took a deep breath.
"I trust you," she said softly.
And in that moment, the Goddess of Serenity stirred—peaceful, patient, awake.
The war was coming.
But so were they.